To Kiss...or...Not to Kiss

Do you kiss your dog or cat or other pets?  Now be honest…admit it…you do don’t you?  How can you resist those fuzzy noses?  I’ve read a couple articles however that make me wonder if it is ‘safe’ to do so.  Knowing me…I will probably never stop kissing my puppies, but there is a concern about diseases being spread between pets & humans and humans & pets. 

Dr. Marty Becker, of Dr. Oz and Good Morning America fame, wrote this article this past Sunday, Jan 12^th.  To Kiss or Not to Kiss…that is the questions.  There are articles in favor of kissing and articles against kissing.  The concern is that you could catch something from your pet or your pet can catch something from you.

Now don’t get me wrong, if I see my pet eating something disgusting or cleaning himself, I most definitely am Not going to kiss them.  J  However when I get home from a long day at the office my favorite thing to do is give Elke, Sangha, Sophie, Yoda, Misty, and Winter kisses.  The other pups in the rescue are not much into kissing so we settle for a pat on the head.  J 

Here are some of the concerns I have read about in this article from Cesar’s Way.  Believe it or not, kissing your dog can lead to gum disease.  Yes…really…click the link if you don’t believe me.  It goes on to say that “The bottom line is this: as adorable as those doggie kisses may be, they may give us more than we asked for in the form of gum disease”.

Speaking of gum disease…did you know February is National Pet Dental Health Month?  If you haven’t done so already, get your pets in for a dental checkup.  Bad teeth can lead to heart disease, kidney disease, and sometimes even diabetes.

Back to the kissing issue.  I like Dr. Becker’s assessment better.  He says “Kiss away…with caution”.  When asked what his thoughts were is says “When's the last time you ever heard or read of a veterinarian dying of a zoonotic disease or having no teeth from dental disease?”  I say kiss away…and brush your teeth often.  J

I conducted a non-scientific poll on my Facebook page.  I asked a simple question.  Do you kiss your pets?  The overwhelming response was Yes.  Although many said not on the mouth or no tongue.  That made me chuckle because one of my dogs, no matter how tightly I seal my lips will inevitably get his tongue in my mouth.  I do draw the line at french kisses.  LOL

Be Well & Be Happy,

Pet~Pourri

Super Bowl...Smoper Bowl

Ok…be honest…how many of you are going to watch the Super Bowl for more than the halftime show?  Or the commercials?  I remember when my husband and I first started cohabitating.  His condition was that I had to get a color TV so that he could watch football.  At the time I only had a small 12” black & white TV…do they even still make those? 

 

Anywho…fast forward to Michael Vick.  The day the NFL decided to let this @$#%$# continue playing in the NFL is the day we stopped watching football. 

 

 

We found an even better alternative.  Animal Planet’s Puppy Bowl. 

 

 

This year is the 10^th year for the Puppy Bowl.  If you’ve never heard of it, you have to watch it this year.  Here is a link to this year’s starting lineup.  The Kitty Halftime show is even better than the Super Bowl’s halftime show. 

 

 

 

Some things to look for include the water bowl cam, hedgehog cheerleaders, hamster commentators, Meep, the tweeting bird, and the ref’s ref-trospectives.  And best of all…these year one of the players is an American Eskimo Puppy.  Meet Brody from Green Dogs Unleashed Rescue.

 

 

So on Super Bowl Sunday, if you want to see something that will make you smile, tune in to Animal Planet’s Puppy Bowl X.  Sunday, February 2^nd at 3pm E/P.  It’s so stinking cute!!!

 

 

Be Well & Be Happy,

Pet~Pourri

Why Do I Put Myself Through This?

There are some days as a rescuer when I ask myself why do I put myself through this. I have witnessed such cruelty.  Such horrible cruelty.  Today someone posted this on my Facebook page and I just sat here saying Yes...Yes...this explains so perfectly why I put myself through this and I just had to share it with you.

"For animal lovers like me, animal rescue is the most incredible, rewarding job... in the history of ever. ...

At the same time... it's also the most heartbreaking...
The truth is...
You see a lot of things... you never thought you'd see.
You witness a level of cruelty... you didn't think was possible.
You feel a degree of helplessness... you never thought you'd know.

You stare at painful images... soon burned into your memory... that will haunt your thoughts forever.
You try to pick up the pieces... so many pieces... of the damage you didn't do.
You do everything in your power... but even still... you'll never reach them all.

You'll try to stay strong... but you'll mostly feel weak.
You'll build walls to protect your heart... but they'll never keep you safe.
You'll place barriers around your soul... but the pain will always reach you.

And no matter how hard you try to fight it... over time... here's the truth about what happens in animal rescue...
The neglect changes you.
The abuse hardens you.
The suffering breaks you.

The ignorance angers you.
The indifference disturbs you.
The injustice destroys you.

On a daily basis... your faith will be tested.
Your heart will be wounded.
Your soul will be altered.

On a weekly basis... you'll question yourself.
You'll question your strength.
You'll question the world.
On a monthly basis... you'll fall down.
You'll get up.
You'll go on...

On a yearly basis... you'll look back...
You'll see faces...
You couldn't save them.

You'll learn to mourn.
To grieve.
To sob.

You'll learn to trust a little less.
To do a little more.
To fight a little harder.

You'll learn to try.
To hope.
To pray.

You'll learn to fail.
To succeed.
To accept.

You'll learn when to hold on.
When to give up.
When to let go.

You'll learn who you are.
What you stand for.
Why that matters.

Then... at times... you'll forget why you matter.
You'll question what you're doing.
You'll wonder if it's worth it.

But... here's the good news...

When you forget...
When you question...
When you wonder...

All you have to do...
Is take a look around...
And you'll see them.
You'll see their faces.
You'll see their smiles.
You'll feel their love.

In their eyes, you'll see their journeys...
You'll remember their beginnings...
You'll know how far they've come...

You'll remember when they didn't know you...
When they didn't trust you...
When they'd given up.

You'll remember how you healed them...
How you loved them...
How they loved you, too.

And as you look back...
You'll want to move forward...
For them... and because of them.

In your darkest hours, you'll look around...
To find the differences made... the hope given... and the lives saved...
Because you existed.

In those moments, when you look into their eyes... every doubt will be erased.
Every question will be answered.
Every worry will subside.

Because in that instant... in each of your hearts...
You both share the very same thought:
"Every bit of pain was worth it... for this moment here with you."
And honestly... no matter what else happens...
Those moments hold all the strength you need...
To keep going.

Rescue is pain.
Rescue is joy.
Rescue is worth it... because they are worth it.

And that's the honest truth."

~Author Unknown

Here are some of the reasons why Rescue is Worth it.

 

Be Well & Be Happy,
Pet~Pourri 

 

 

Vaccinations for Cats ~ Safe??

 

I received a newsletter in my e-mail box today and the title of this particular article caught my attention.  If you MUST vaccinate, aim for this body part.  The Must Vaccinate is what caught my attention because there is a lot of controversy over whether all those vaccinations are really necessary.  Well reading this article makes me never want to get my cat vaccinated again.  I had no clue vaccinations could cause cancer. 

 

According to this article Rabies vaccinations and Feline Leukemia (FeLV) vaccinations may cause cancer.  The article says normally Rabies is given in the right rear and FeLV in the left rear legs, below the knee for easy amputation if cancer appears. 

 

 

 

The cancer is called Feline Vaccine-associated Sarcoma and is a malignant tumor associated with the vaccines.  There is a study mentioned in this article that suggests giving the vaccines in the tip of the tail.  If a tumor does develop it is easier to treat and not as disfiguring as amputation of a leg.

 

 

 

I can tell you the first two paragraphs of this article scared the bejesus out of me.  I had no clue.  I’m fortunate as to have never had this problem with any of my cats.  This newsletter is from a doctor who is into holistic medicine so I also wanted to see what other sources said.  PetMD agrees with this article, although they don’t give the tail as an alternative location for the vaccines.  They just say don’t over vaccinate.

 

The first article is the only one I can find that suggests giving the vaccines in the tail as opposed to the leg.  I like Dr. Becker’s approach because she is more worried about what vaccines a cat actually needs rather than where to give the vaccine.  Her guidelines are:

 

“If your pet truly needs a booster of a certain vaccine or a vaccine she’s never received, make sure that 1) the vaccine is for a serious disease (this eliminates many on the list immediately), 2) your cat may be in a position to be exposed to the disease (indoor cats have little to no exposure to most diseases), and 3) the vaccine is considered both safe and effective.”

 

 

 

I agree that indoor cats are not going to be exposed to many of the dangers an outdoor cat is exposed to.  Indoor cats don’t need all those vaccinations.  As always, do your research before vaccinating your pet.  If your vet recommends annual vaccinations, you might want to shop around for a new vet.

 

Your animals rely on you to give them the best treatment available.  Be aware of any issues so that you can be the best pet parent you can.

 

 

 

Be Well & Be Happy,

Pet~Pourri

Yellow Dog Program - Spread the Word

Well…I guess you learn something new every day.  I’ve been rescuing dogs for more than 20 years and I learned something new.  Have you ever seen a dog in a park or walking down the street with a yellow ribbon tied to their collar or leash?? Or wearing a yellow bandanna?  If so, do you know what that means??  Basically it means approach with caution.  This is an international program called the Yellowdog Program. 

 

If you see a dog with a yellow ribbon tied to the leash or collar this is a dog who needs more space.  It is a visual cue to people before they approach a dog that that dog needs space or to be approached cautiously.  How many of you have been to a park an see a child run up to a dog yelling “Doggie” and grab the dog?  I have, and I cringe every time I see it.  You don’t know if that dog likes strangers or even likes children, yet you let your child run up to a strange dog.  Now if you see a dog with a yellow ribbon you can stop your child and explain why they need to be careful.

 

 

Now don’t get me wrong, the yellow ribbon does not mean they are aggressive, just that they have issues that strangers need to be aware of.  They could be recovering from surgery, have issues with fear, be a rescue dog that needs socialization, or be in training.  You never know.  Just like a yellow traffic light, a yellow ribbon means slow down and approach with caution.

 

 

So…why a yellow ribbon?

• It’s visible from a distance.
• It’s easy for everyone to see
• It’s cheap.
• It works internationally
• Can be used short term or long term
• Easy to put on
• Even a small child can easily understand what it means.

A friend at work told me about some new leashes and collars that say if a dog is friendly or to stay away, but if you are close enough to read the text, then you are too close for the dogs comfort.

 

 

So be on the lookout for yellow ribbons, and if you have a dog that has issues, start using a yellow ribbon.  Please pass this information on to everyone you know.

 

 

P.S.  Using a yellow ribbon or bandanna does not take responsibility away from the pet owner.  If you knowingly have an aggressive or dangerous dog out in public, you are still responsible for your pets behavior.  Common Sense means you won't have a dangerous dog out in public, but we all know some people lack this ability.  The ribbon is not an excuse...it is a warning from a distance.  Ask before you approach.

Be Well & Be Happy,
Pet~Pourri